Transradial access devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

Transradial access devices, systems, and methods. An exemplary device of the present disclosure for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same comprises a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath. Activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ.

PRIORITY

The present application a) is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/105,576, filed Jan. 20, 2015, and b) is related to, claims the priority benefit of, and is a U.S. continuation-in-part application of, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/283,024, filed Oct. 27, 2011, which is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/407,211, filed Oct. 27, 2010. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Interventional procedures (including coronary angiography and angioplasty) are usually performed via transfemoral access. Although this route provides relatively easy vascular access, it is associated with several shortcomings.

First, such a route is difficult to implement with patients that have substantial peripheral artery disease (such as aortoileofemoral obstructive disease), abdominal aortic aneurysm, groin infection, or morbid obesity. Second, a small but potentially serious incidence of vascular complications at the puncture site that may result in significant groin hematoma, which could lead to necessary blood transfusions and/or require surgical repair.

A major advantage of the transfemoral route is puncturing the accessible and large caliber femoral arteries is relatively easy. Although first attempted two decades ago, the radial (transradial) approach is still more difficult to perform and has a higher failure attempt rate (1-9% in experienced hands) primarily due to the smaller size of the vessels, whereby the needle tip may over-perforate during the procedure. Accordingly, the transradial technique has a steep learning curve.

Accordingly, alternative methods, and devices for performing transradial access would be well received by interventional practitioners treating patients meeting one or more of the aforementioned criteria. As such, there is clearly a need for a needle access device that allows visualization of puncture through blood retrieval and that allows retraction of the needle tip to prevent overperforation.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, the device comprises a needle having a needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract into the sheath. In another embodiment, wherein when the protractor is not engaged, the needle tip is positioned within the sheath. In yet another embodiment, at least part of the sheath is comprised of transparent material. In an additional embodiment, at least part of the sheath is comprised of translucent material.

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, when the needle tip punctures a vessel or other luminal organ so that fluid within the vessel or other luminal organ is in communication with the needle tip, the fluid can also enter a lumen of the sheath and be detected within the sheath. In an additional embodiment, the protractor is selected from the group consisting of a button and a rotatable dial. In yet an additional embodiment, the sheath further comprises a tapered distal end. In another embodiment, the tapered distal end of the sheath is configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall of the needle and the aperture so that the blood or other bodily fluids can be detected within the sheath.

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the protractor, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath. In another embodiment, the needle mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a compliant polymer, a coil, a sponge, and a bladder. In yet another embodiment, the device further comprises one or more wire apertures defined therethrough, the one or more wire apertures configured to receive a wire. In an additional embodiment, the device further comprises a wire positioned through the one or more wire apertures, the wire configured to permit a second device to be delivered over the wire. In various embodiments, the wire comprises a guide wire.

In at least one embodiment of a method of accessing a mammalian bodily vessel of the present disclosure, the method comprising the steps of protracting a needle tip from a sheath of a device, puncturing a bodily vessel of a patient using the needle tip so that the needle tip accesses a lumen of the bodily vessel, and retracting the needle tip into the sheath of the device. In another embodiment, the step of retracting the needle tip is performed upon detection of a fluid from the bodily vessel within the sheath of the device. In yet another embodiment, the bodily vessel comprises a radial artery.

In at least one embodiment of a method of accessing a mammalian bodily vessel of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of advancing a wire through the device so that at least part of the wire is positioned within the lumen of the bodily vessel. In an additional embodiment, the method further comprises the step of removing all or part of the device from the patient, allowing at least part of the wire to remain within the lumen of the bodily vessel. In yet an additional embodiment, the method further comprises the step of advancing a second device over the wire so that at least part of the second device is positioned within the lumen of the bodily vessel. In another embodiment, the step of advancing a second device comprises advancing a second device selected from the group consisting of a catheter, catheters, a balloon catheters and a stent.

In at least one embodiment of a transradial heart catheterization method according to the present disclosure comprises the steps of protracting a needle tip from a sheath of a device, puncturing a radial artery of a patient using the needle tip so that the needle tip accesses a lumen of the radial artery, retracting the needle tip into the sheath of the device upon detection of blood from the radial artery within the sheath of the device, advancing a wire through the device so that at least part of the wire is positioned within the lumen of the radial artery, removing all or part of the device from the patient, allowing at least part of the wire to remain within the lumen of the bodily vessel, and advancing a catheter over the wire so that at least part of the second device is positioned within the lumen of the radial artery and at least a portion of the patient's heart.

In at least one embodiment of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, the system comprises a needle having a needle tip, a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, and an actuator in communication with the needle, whereby a first operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath, and whereby a second operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to retract into the sheath. In an additional embodiment, the system further comprises a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the actuator, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath. In yet an additional embodiment, the system further comprises a sensor coupled to the needle and operable to sense at least one bodily parameter. In another embodiment, the at least one bodily parameter comprises an impedance, an oxygen concentration, and a lactate concentration. In yet another embodiment, the system further comprises a wire coupled to the sensor and directly or indirectly coupled to the actuator, the wire capable of transmitting a signal from the sensor to the actuator.

In at least one embodiment of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ of the present disclosure, the system further comprises a processor operably coupled to the sensor, the processor operable to control actuation of the actuator. In another embodiment, and when the sensor senses a threshold bodily parameter, the processor operates to control actuation of the actuator to protract or retract the needle.

In at least one embodiment of a device, a wire, and/or a system of the present disclosure, said device, wire, and/or system comprises a) one or more sensors (such as sensors 904), positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or b) an electrode (such as detection electrode 1102), positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or c) an electrode (such as detection electrode 1104), positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or d) an electrode (such as excitation electrode 1106), positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or e) an electrode (such as excitation electrode 1108), positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or f) one or more current elements, positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system. In another embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is/are configured to obtain impedance data of one or more of skin tissue, blood vessel tissue, and/or blood. In an additional embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is/are configured to facilitate vasodilation of a vessel so to facilitate radial access into the vasodilated vessel. In additional embodiments, the device, wire, and/or system is/are configured to excite an electric field using one or more of said excitation electrodes, a needle, and/or the wire. In yet additional embodiments, the device, wire, and/or system is/are configured to deliver a current sufficient to facilitate/cause vasodilation using one or more of said excitation electrodes, said one or more current elements 1200, a needle, and/or the wire.

In at least one embodiment of a device, a wire, and/or a system, wherein said device, wire, and/or system comprises a needle having a metallic needle tip. In some embodiments, the metallic needle tip is configured to and/or otherwise useful to obtain impedance measurements. In various embodiments, the metallic needle tip is configured to and/or otherwise useful to deliver a current sufficient to facilitate/cause vasodilation.

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, the device comprises a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip; a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, an interior space around the needle positioned therein, and having a tapered distal end configured for percutaneous insertion into a vessel or other luminal organ, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the sheath is comprised of translucent or transparent material; and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath, wherein the device is configured so that when the needle tip punctures the vessel or other luminal organ underneath skin after puncturing the skin and is advanced along with the sheath so that the distal sheath end is also positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ and so that fluid within the vessel or other luminal organ is in contact with the needle tip, activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ and the fluid can enter the interior space of the sheath through the aperture and be visually detected within the sheath through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material to indicate that the distal sheath end is positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ. In at least one embodiment, the at least one current element comprises an excitation electrode configured to generate an electric current. In at least one embodiment, the protractor is selected from the group consisting of a button and a rotatable dial. In at least one embodiment, the tapered distal end of the sheath is configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall of the needle and the aperture when the needle is protracted from the sheath.

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, the device further comprises a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the protractor, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath. In at least one embodiment, the needle mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a compliant polymer, a coil, a sponge, and a bladder. In at least one embodiment, the device further comprises one or more wire apertures defined therethrough, the one or more wire apertures configured to receive a wire. In at least one embodiment, the device further comprises a wire positioned through the one or more wire apertures, the wire configured to permit a second device to be delivered over the wire.

In at least one embodiment of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, the wire further comprises at least one wire current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near a wire tip, the at least one wire current element configured to generate an electric current to cause vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ. In at least one embodiment, the device comprises part of a system, wherein the system further comprises a dilator configured to surround at least part of the sheath, the dilator further configured for partial insertion into the vessel or other luminal organ; a guide wire configured for partial insertion into one of a sheath lumen and a needle lumen, the guide wire further configured for advancement into the vessel or other luminal organ; and an access catheter configured for advancement over the guide wire and further advancement into the vessel or other luminal organ. In at least one embodiment, the needle further comprises a sensor coupled thereto or embedded therein, the sensor operable to sense at least one bodily parameter.

In at least one embodiment of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, the system comprises a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip; a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, an interior space around the needle positioned therein, and having a tapered distal end configured for percutaneous insertion into a vessel or other luminal organ, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the sheath is comprised of translucent or transparent material; and an actuator configured to facilitate movement of the needle within the sheath, whereby a first operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby a second operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath, wherein the system is configured so that when the needle tip punctures the vessel or other luminal organ underneath skin after puncturing the skin and is advanced along with the sheath so that the distal sheath end is also positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ and so that fluid within the vessel or other luminal organ is in contact with the needle tip, activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ and the fluid can enter the interior space of the sheath through the aperture and be visually detected within the sheath through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material to indicate that the distal sheath end is positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ. In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the actuator, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath. In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a sensor coupled to the needle and operable to sense at least one bodily parameter selected from the group consisting of impedance, an oxygen concentration, and a lactate concentration. In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a wire coupled to the sensor and directly or indirectly coupled to the actuator, the wire capable of transmitting a signal from the sensor to the actuator. In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a processor operably coupled to the sensor, the processor operable to control actuation of the actuator.

In at least one embodiment of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, when the sensor senses a threshold bodily parameter, the processor operates to control actuation of the actuator to protract or retract the needle. In at least one embodiment, the tapered distal end of the sheath is configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall of the needle and the aperture when the needle is protracted from the sheath.

In at least one embodiment of a method for accessing a mammalian bodily vessel and to prevent overperforation of the same of the present disclosure, the method comprising the steps of protracting a needle tip of a needle from a sheath of a device, at least a portion of a wall of the sheath comprising translucent or transparent material and the sheath comprising an interior space around the needle positioned therein; percutaneously puncturing mammalian skin using the needle tip; puncturing a mammalian bodily vessel under the mammalian skin using the needle tip so that the needle tip and a tapered distal end of the sheath of the device surrounding the needle tip access a lumen of the mammalian bodily vessel and operating at least one current element positioned upon or coupled to at least one of the needle and a wire positioned at least partially within the wire to cause vasodilation of the mammalian bodily vessel; and retracting the needle tip into the sheath of the device upon visual detection of blood from the mammalian bodily vessel within the interior space of the sheath of the device through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ. In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of advancing the wire through the device so that at least part of the wire is positioned within the lumen of the mammalian bodily vessel.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, a wire, and/or a system, wherein said device, wire, and/or system comprises one or more sensors, positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or one or more electrodes, positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system; and/or one or more current elements, positioned upon and/or embedded within the device, wire, and/or system. In at least one embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is configured to obtain impedance data of one or more of skin tissue, blood vessel tissue, and/or blood. In at least one embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is configured to facilitate vasodilation of a vessel so to facilitate radial access into the vasodilated vessel. In at least one embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is configured to excite an electric field using one or more of one or more electrodes, a needle, and/or the wire. In at least one embodiment, the device, wire, and/or system is configured to deliver a current sufficient to facilitate/cause vasodilation using one or more of said electrode electrodes, said one or more current elements, a needle, and/or the wire.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a device, a wire, and/or a system, wherein said device, wire, and/or system comprises a needle having a metallic needle tip. In at least one embodiment, the metallic needle tip is configured to and/or otherwise useful to obtain impedance measurements. In at least one embodiment, the metallic needle tip is configured to and/or otherwise useful to deliver a current sufficient to facilitate/cause vasodilation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ in a first configuration, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ in a second configuration, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ in a first configuration and at least partially within a bodily vessel, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ in a second configuration and at least partially within a bodily vessel, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A shows a wire positioned within a bodily vessel after entry using a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B shows a wire positioned within a bodily vessel with a second device positioned thereon after entry using a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A shows a wire positioned within a sheath within a bodily vessel after entry using a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B shows a wire positioned within a sheath within a bodily vessel with a second device positioned thereon after entry using a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows steps of an exemplary method of accessing a mammalian bodily vessel, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a portion of a device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ having a dilator, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of various components of a system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a device and system having a needle wire with sensors thereon, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows a device and system having current elements, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows a device and system having sensors and current elements, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 shows a device having a metallic needle tip useful to sense impedance and/or introduce a current into the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

An exemplary embodiment of an access device (which may be used to provide transradial access) according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, device 100 comprises a needle 102 having a needle tip 104. Needle 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may comprise the entire needle, or may comprise only a portion of a larger needle in at least another embodiment. Needle 102 is positioned at least partially within a sheath 106, whereby sheath 106 at least partially encircles needle 102 when at least part of needle 102 and needle tip 104 protrude from sheath 106 (an exemplary first configuration, as shown in FIG. 1), and whereby sheath 106 houses needle 102 and needle tip 104 when needle 102 is retracted within sheath 106 (an exemplary second configuration, as shown in FIG. 2). In at least one embodiment, sheath 106 may comprise a stopcock 404 and/or a valve 406, as shown in FIG. 4, to regulate pressure within sheath 106, for example, and/or to release air and/or a fluid from within sheath 106.

Device 100, as shown in FIG. 1 and in various embodiments, comprises a protractor 108 proximal to needle tip 104, wherein when protractor 108 is engaged, at least part of needle 102 and needle tip 104 protrude from sheath 106. Releasing protractor 108, as shown in FIG. 2, causes needle 102 and needle tip 104 to retract within sheath 106.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, protractor 108 is a mechanism capable of being depressed and released, such as a physical button. However, additional embodiments of protractor 108 of the present disclosure may comprise any number of other suitable mechanisms, such as a rotatable dial, capable of causing at least part of needle 102 and needle tip 104 to protrude from and retract into sheath 106.

Sheath 106, in various embodiments of devices 100 of the present disclosure, is either completely or partially transparent or translucent, so that a user of device 100 can detect whether or not needle tip 104 has engaged a vessel, such as a blood vessel, to an extent that blood from the blood vessel enters at least part of sheath 106. In at least one embodiment, sheath 106 is comprised of transparent or translucent material, such as transparent or translucent plastic, rubber, or the like. When using device 100 to access a lumen of a bodily vessel (such as a blood vessel), device 100 may be used to puncture the skin similar to a standard syringe/needle. When needle tip 104 punctures a bodily vessel, a quantity of fluid from the vessel, such as blood in the case of a blood vessel, can then enter the space inside sheath 106 through aperture 200. Because at least part of sheath 106 is transparent or translucent in such an embodiment, a user can visually detect the presence of blood within sheath 106, and can then retract at least part of needle 102 and needle tip 104 within sheath 106 to prevent overperforation.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sheath 106 comprises a tapered distal end 110, wherein when needle tip 104 protrudes from sheath 106, needle tip 104 and the tapered distal end 110 of sheath 106 collectively form a relative point, so that when needle tip 104 engages/enters a tissue/vessel, at least part of the tapered distal end 110 of sheath 110 can then also engages/enters the tissue/vessel. Tapered distal end 110 of sheath 106 is also configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall 112 of needle 102 and aperture 200 of sheath 106, so that the blood or other bodily fluid is visible within a lumen 114 of sheath 106.

Protrusion of needle tip 104 from sheath 106 and retraction of needle tip 104 into sheath 106 by way of protractor 108 is facilitated by a needle mechanism 116, such as those mechanisms capable of effectively storing and releasing energy, such as a spring, various compliant polymers, coils, sponges, bladders, and the like, which can comprise various materials such as metals, plastics, polymers (nitinol, for example), for example. Various needle mechanisms 116 of the present disclosure may involve thermo-electrical expansion, whereby an electric current running therethrough may effectively cause needle tip 104 to protract. Protraction, in various embodiments, may be on the order of 0.1 mm-0.2 mm, but could be more or less depending on the application.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a spring (an exemplary needle mechanism 116) ultimately engages protractor 108 and needle 102, either directly or indirectly, to facilitate movement of needle 102 within sheath 106. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, when protractor 108 is depressed, needle mechanism 116 causes needle tip 104 to protrude from sheath 106, and when protractor 108 is released, as shown in FIG. 2, needle mechanism 116 causes needle tip 104 to retract within sheath 106. Needle mechanism 116 may be compressed when protractor 108 is engaged as shown in FIG. 1 and may be expanded when protractor 108 is released as shown in FIG. 2 in at least one embodiment, and may be reversed, i.e. expanded when protractor 108 is engaged and compressed when protractor 108 is released, in various other embodiments, depending on the overall configuration of device 100. In at least one embodiment, the spring-loaded needle tip 104 is retractable, and can be advanced or retracted by a linear spring mechanism with a user's fingertip at the proximal end of device 100.

Various devices 100 of the present disclosure can be used, for example, to access the interior of a blood vessel as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, protractor 108 can be depressed or otherwise engaged so that needle tip 104 of device 100 protrudes from sheath 106. A vessel 300 (such as a blood vessel, or other luminal organ within the body) would then be punctured by needle tip 104, and a user of the device 100 would then look for blood or other fluid movement within sheath 106 to indicate access into vessel 300. Upon identification of blood or another fluid within sheath 106, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by way of fluid level 302, needle tip 104 would be retracted into sheath 106 to prevent overperforation of vessel 300, as shown in FIG. 4. A wire 400 (such as a standard 0.014″ guidewire), as shown in FIG. 4 may be advanced through various wire apertures 402 of device 100 and through device 100 so that at least part of wire 400 is positioned within vessel 300.

All or part of device 100 can then be withdrawn, whereby wire 400 remains with access into vessel 300. In at least one example, and as shown in FIG. 5A, all components of device 100 are removed from vessel, with wire 400 remaining to facilitate entry of any number of wire-fed devices (exemplary second devices 600, such as various catheters, balloon catheters, and/or stents, for example) into vessel 300, as shown in FIG. 5B.

In at least another example, and as shown in FIG. 6A, at least one component of device 100 may remain to provide access into vessel 300. In at least one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 6A, sheath 106 can be disconnected from the remainder of device 100, so that when the remainder of device 100 is withdrawn from vessel 300, sheath 106, and optionally wire 400 as shown in FIG. 6A, can remain to provide access into vessel 300. In at least one embodiment, and after device 100 is used to provide access into vessel 300, sheath 106 can be disconnected from the remainder of device 100, the remainder of device 100 can be removed, and then wire 400 can be inserted into sheath 106 so that at least part of wire 400 enters the lumen of vessel 300. One or more second devices 600 can then either be inserted directly into vessel 300 via sheath 106 or advanced over wire 400 positioned within sheath 106 as shown in FIG. 6B.

In various embodiments of devices 100 of the present disclosure, needle 102 is relatively small (having an outer diameter of between about 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm, for example, and an outer diameter of approximately 0.5 mm in at least one embodiment), which is configured to pre-dilate into sheath 106 to allow access of needle tip 104, whereby needle 102 is retractable to provide a blunt non-perforation tip (formed by the tapered distal end 110 of sheath 106 and aperture 200) to prevent overperforation of a vessel 300. In at least one embodiment, needle 102 has an inner diameter of about 0.35 mm. Retraction of needle 102 within sheath 106 transforms device 100 from a puncture device to a sheath. Device 100, in any number of embodiments, can also be used to deliver a substance (fluid, drug, etc.) into a patient's body, and/or used to remove a fluid/substance from the patient.

Steps of an exemplary method of using an exemplary device 100 of the present disclosure to provide access to a bodily vessel are shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, method 700 may comprise the steps of protracting needle tip 104 from sheath 106 (an exemplary protraction step 702), and puncturing a bodily vessel of a patient (such as a radial artery, for example) using needle tip 104 so that needle tip 104 accesses a bodily vessel lumen (an exemplary puncture step 704). An exemplary method 700 further comprises the step of retracting needle tip 104 within sheath 106 to prevent overperforation of the vessel 300 (an exemplary retraction step 706), which, in at least one embodiment, is facilitated by the user identifying movement of a bodily fluid, such as blood, for example, within sheath 106 to indicate device 100 access into a bodily vessel.

In at least one embodiment of a method 700 of the present disclosure, method 700 further comprises the step of advancing a wire 400 through device 100 so that at least part of wire 400 is positioned within the bodily vessel (an exemplary wire advancement step 708). Method 700 may further comprise the optional step of removing all or part of device 100 from the patient so that wire 400 remains (an exemplary device removal step 710). An exemplary method 700 may then further comprise the step of advancing a second device 600 over wire 400 so that at least part of the second device 600 is positioned within vessel 300 (an exemplary advancement step 712). Advancement step 712 may comprise, for example, advancement of a catheter (an exemplary second device 600) to a patient's heart during a heart catheterization procedure. Advancement step 712 may also comprise, for example, advancement of any number of other second devices 600 over wire 400 to access one or more other organs or areas within a patient's body. Various steps of method 700 may be performed manually by a user and/or may be performed automatically as described in further detail herein.

Access to a patient's blood vessel(s) by way of a transfemoral route is most commonly performed, but the present disclosure provides methods of transradial access and devices useful to perform the same. An exemplary device 100 of the present disclosure may be used to provide transradial access to a patient as described below.

Catheterization using a transradial approach involves accessing a relatively small artery in a patient's wrist and the subsequent advancement of a catheter into the patient's heart. As such, transradial access, as referenced herein, involves the general access to a patient's vessel, such as a blood vessel, by way of the patient's wrist. As referenced above and in detail below, transradial access is more difficult to perform than traditional transfemoral access, and various embodiments of devices 100 of the present disclosure can be used with a transradial approach to provide effective access with significantly reduced procedure risk.

Transradial access has several advantages over transfemoral access. First, a patient's upper extremities do not develop as much atherosclerosis as the lower extremities, even with elderly patients, and hence access is always possible. Second, there are no nerves or veins of significant size near the usual site of puncture. Third, the hand's dual arterial supply from the radial and the ulnar artery adds an extra level of safety to the arterial puncture. Hence, if any thrombotic or traumatic arterial occlusion may occur, this usually does not endanger the viability of the hand due to the presence of an adequate collateral blood supply.

In addition, transradial access has significantly less vascular complications when compared to transfemoral access, and allows earlier mobilization of patients post procedure as compared to transfemoral access. Transradial access can also be advantageous in patients with acute coronary syndrome where aggressive antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy is often instituted, leading to a higher potential for access site bleeding complications with respect to femoral access. Furthermore, patient comfort is increased with early ambulation, and most patients who have undergone cardiac catheterization from both the leg and wrist will strongly prefer the transradial route.

In various embodiments of devices 100 of the present disclosure, devices 100 may further comprise a dilator 800. As shown in FIG. 8A, and in at least one embodiment, a portion of device 100 may have a dilator 800 surrounding at least sheath 106, so that insertion of a portion of a device into a vessel 300, as described in detail herein, would also involve the insertion of a distal end 802 of dilator into vessel 300, so that the overall insertion opening is larger than it would have been if the same sheath 106 was inserted into vessel 300 without dilator 800. As shown in FIG. 8A, dilator 800 is larger than sheath 106, and the inherent size/thickness of dilator 800 would provide a larger access opening into vessel 300 as described above. When using embodiments of device 100 having a dilator 800 to access a vessel 300, dilator 800 may be withdrawn along with the remainder of device 100, or all but sheath 106, for example, so that sheath 106 and optionally a wire 400 inserted therethrough remain to provide access into vessel 300.

Additional embodiments of devices 100 of the present disclosure may comprise and/or include one or more features to facilitate automated operation of the same. For example, and in at least one embodiment of a system 900 as shown in FIG. 9, system 900 may comprise one or more portions of an exemplary device 100 and one or more automated features.

As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary system 900 of the present disclosure comprises a needle 102 having a needle tip 104, a sheath 106, and an actuator 902. Actuator 902, in various embodiments, can be coupled directly to needle 102, or indirectly coupled to needle 102 by way of a needle mechanism 116 and optionally a protractor 108. Actuator 902, in at least one embodiment, is operable to protract and retract needle 102/needle tip 104 from and into sheath 106, and may perform said operation without any direct manual engagement by the user. For example, when a user of system 900 would identify blood or another fluid within sheath 106 after advancement of needle 102/needle tip 104 into a vessel 300 either manually or using actuator 902, the user can operate actuator 902 to retract needle 102/needle tip 104 into sheath 106. In at least one embodiment of system 900 (or use thereof), protraction and retraction occurs automatically by way of actuator 902. In at least one embodiment, actuator 902 can have a first operation to protract needle tip 104, and a second operation to retract needle tip 104.

In various embodiments of systems 900 of the present disclosure, sheaths 106 may not be transparent or translucent as otherwise described herein. For example, and in such an embodiment that would not readily allow a user to visualize blood or another bodily fluid within sheath 106, system 900 may further comprise one or more sensors 904, as shown in FIG. 9, operably coupled to needle 102/needle tip 104 to sense at least one parameter and/or at least one parameter change. Such parameters or parameter changes may include sensing advancement of needle tip 104 through skin, tissue, and a wall of vessel 300 so that needle tip 104 comes into contact with blood within vessel 300. Such sensors 904 may comprise one or more impedance sensors, whereby detected impedance of blood versus tissue, for example, would trigger retraction of needle tip 104 into sheath 106, and/or may comprise one or more oxygen sensors (sensing differences in oxygen concentration from tissues, arteries, and/or veins), lactate sensors (noting different concentrations of lactate in blood versus tissue), or any number of other sensors 904 operable to detect an identifiable parameter within blood and/or another bodily fluid as being different than one or more surrounding tissues/vessels. Such sensors 904 could be electrical, electrochemical, chemo-mechanical, etc., in nature to facilitate the appropriate sensing to trigger advancement and/or retraction of needle 102/needle tip 104 of system 900.

In at least one embodiment, needle 102/needle tip 104 may itself operate as a sensor given the metallic properties of various embodiments of needles 102. In other embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 10 (discussed in further detail below), one or more sensors 904 are coupled to needle 102 by way of a wire 906, whereby a first portion of wire 906 is coupled to sensor 904, and a second portion of wire 906 is coupled either directly or indirectly to actuator 902. Wire 906, in various embodiments, is operable to carry a signal from sensor 904 to actuator 902, either directly to actuator 902 or indirectly to actuator 902 by way of a processor 1000, referenced below.

A block diagram of various components of portions of an exemplary system 900 of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary system 900 may comprise an actuator 902, a sensor 904 coupled to needle 102 and/or to processor 1000 by way of a wire 906, whereby processor 1000, actuator 902, and needle 102 are in operable communication with one another. In such an embodiment, for example, actuator 902 could be used to protract needle 102, and when sensor 904 detects a parameter change indicative of vessel 300 access (such as the presence of blood), a signal from sensor is either sent to or received by processor 1000 either through wire 906 or through actuator 902 to processor 1000, for example, so that processor 1000 operates actuator 902 to retract needle 102. Generally speaking, and in at least one embodiment, processor 1000 is operably coupled to sensor 902, wherein processor 1000 is operable to control actuation of actuator 902. In such an embodiment, and when sensor 904 senses a threshold bodily parameter (such as, for example, the presence of blood or a parameter indicative of blood), processor 1000 operates to control actuation of actuator 902 to protract or retract needle 102/needle tip 104. The aforementioned embodiments are merely exemplary in nature, noting that various other components described herein, or differing configurations of components shown in FIG. 10, may be made to facilitate the same or similar end result.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of additional devices 100, wires 400, and/or systems 900 that utilize impedance to obtain location data in connection with various parts of the body during insertion of at least part of the same therein. As noted above and as shown in FIG. 9, for example, exemplary systems 900 (or portions thereof) may comprise one or more sensors operably coupled to needle 102/needle tip 104 to sense at least one parameter and/or at least one parameter change. Such parameters or parameter changes may include sensing advancement of needle tip 104 through skin, tissue, and a wall of vessel 300 so that needle tip 104 comes into contact with blood within vessel 300. Such sensors 904 may comprise one or more impedance sensors 904, whereby detected impedance of blood versus tissue, for example, would trigger retraction of needle tip 104 into sheath 106, and/or may comprise any number of additional sensors 904 operable to detect an identifiable parameter within blood and/or another bodily fluid as being different than one or more surrounding tissues/vessels. Such sensors 904 could be electrical, electrochemical, chemo-mechanical, etc., in nature to facilitate the appropriate sensing to trigger advancement and/or retraction of needle 102/needle tip 104 of system 900.

FIG. 11 shows an additional embodiment of a system 900 of the present disclosure, which in such an embodiment comprises at least an exemplary device 100 and a wire 400, with wire 400 having at least one sensor 904 positioned thereon and/or embedded therein. As shown in FIG. 11, wire 400 may comprise a plurality of sensors 904, such as two detection electrodes 1102, 1104 (exemplary sensors 904), positioned in between two excitation electrodes 1106, 1108. In such an embodiment, excitation electrodes 1106, 1108 can be used to generate an electric field within the body to be detected using detection electrodes 1102, 1104, such as disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 7,454,244 of Kassab et al. Said electrodes 1102, 1104, 1106, and 1108, as shown in FIG. 11, and/or various other sensors 904 of the present disclosure, may be positioned at or near a distal end 1100 of wire 400, as shown in the figure. In at least some embodiments, wires 400 in wire embodiments, and/or needles 102 in needle embodiments as referenced herein, may use wire 400 and/or needle 102 itself to excite some or all of the electric field. Said placement allows a user of system 900 to position distal end 1100 of wire 400 relative to needle tip 104, so that puncture, positioning and/or advancement of needle tip 104 within lumen 350 of vessel 300, as shown in FIG. 11 for example, can be performed while wire 400 is obtaining impedance data (and/or other data, as referenced herein), using various sensor(s) 904 positioned thereon. In such an embodiment, for example, wire 400 and needle 102 having needle tip 104 may be advanced and/or retracted simultaneously based upon data obtained by sensor(s) 904 positioned relative to (next to and/or near) needle tip 104. For example, and during initial skin puncture, sensors 904 configured to obtain impedance data may obtain impedance data of levels/values corresponding to skin tissue, blood vessel 300 tissue, and/or blood, so that a user of system 900 or components thereof will know where sensor(s) 904, and therefore needle tip 104, are located within the body. In at least another embodiment, a user may advance wire 400 within the body first a given distance, and then subsequently advance needle tip 104 a distance (which may or may not be the same distance as the wire) based upon data provided by one or more sensors 904 of wire 400. One or more of the aforementioned sensors 904, such as electrodes 1102 and/or 1104, may also be positioned upon needle 102 itself, as shown in FIG. 9.

Furthermore, various devices 100 and/or systems 900 of the present disclosure can be used in connection with radial access in conditions of vasospasm and/or vasoconstriction. Vasospasm and/or vasoconstriction, which can be quite problematic when attempting radial access, is currently treated using one or more pharmacological agents which can not only take substantial time to take effect, but are also not always effective and may cause other problems and/or negative reactions with other agents taken by a patient, for example. In particular, the arms, in contrast with the lower body, are less susceptible to disease, noting that peripheral leg diseases are more prevalent than, for example, peripheral arm diseases. As such, use of various devices 100 and/or systems 900 of the present disclosure to facilitate vasodilation, especially in the arms, which are more vasoactive, would be quite beneficial as noted below.

The disclosure of the present application includes devices 100 and/or systems 900 having one or more current elements 1200 positioned thereon and/or embedded therein, said current elements 1200 configured to send current 1202 (as evidenced by the jagged lines in FIG. 12) into a vessel 300 to facilitate vasodilation. One or more current elements 1200 may be positioned upon and/or embedded within needle 102 (such as at or near needle tip 104), as shown in FIG. 12, and/or may be positioned upon or within wire 400, also as shown in FIG. 12, noting that current elements 1200 on needle 102 and on needle 400 is not required, as a single current element 1200 would suffice. In at least one embodiment, current element 1200 and one of electrodes 1106 or 1108, for example, would be the same element, and in such an embodiment, element 1200 (also configured as an electrode 1106 or 1108 or similar) would be configured to generate an current sufficient to facilitate vasodilation (such as, for example, at or near 2 Hz over a 10-15 second interval) and would also be sufficient to generate the electric field referenced above to be sensed by detection electrodes 1102 and 1104. Use of such a current element 1200, as referenced herein, can introduce a current 1202 sufficient for vasodilation since the electrical pulse hyperpolarizes the membrane potential and prevents contraction of the vessel 300.

In at least one embodiment, needle 102 and/or wire 104 comprises a sensor 904 and a current element 1200, such as shown in FIG. 13. For clarity, an exemplary needle 102 and/or a wire 400 of the present disclosure may comprise a current element 1200 configured to introduce a vasodilating current 1202, whereby such a current element 1200 may also be configured to generate an electric field detectable using a detection electrode 1102 and/or 1104, as referenced herein. In at least some embodiments, needles 102 and/or wires 400 may comprise one or more current elements 1200 in addition to one or more sensors 904, such as for example, where the one or more sensors 904 comprises electrodes 1102 and 1104, and wherein needles 102 and/or wires 400 comprise one or more additional electrodes, such as electrodes 1106 and 1108. In at least some embodiments, one or both of a needle 102 and/or a wire 400 comprise one current element 1200 also configured as an excitation electrode and one or more additional sensors 904. In at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, current 1202 can be delivered from a current source 1400 (such as shown in FIG. 14) to and/or through needle 102 and/or wire 400, whereby needle 102 and/or wire 400 operate as current elements 1200. Current source 1400 would be directly or indirectly a) coupled to needle 102 in embodiments where needle 102 operates as a current element, b) coupled to wire 400 in embodiments where wire 400 operates as a current element, and/or c) coupled to one or more current elements 1200.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a device 100/system 900 of the present application previously discussed herein and shown in FIG. 14. As shown therein, device 100 comprises a needle 102 ending at a needle tip 104, and having features as shown in connection with other device 100 embodiments of the present disclosure. However, and with such an embodiment, needle tip 104 itself operates, functions, and/or is used as a sensor 904 and/or other electrode as referenced herein. For example, and using needle tip 104 as an effective sensor, needle tip 104 can itself be configured to obtain impedance data and may obtain impedance data of levels/values corresponding to skin tissue, blood vessel 300 tissue, and/or blood, so that a user of device 100 or components thereof will know where needle tip 104 is located within the body based upon said impedance data. Such an exemplary device embodiment shown in FIG. 14 can also be used in connection with radial access in conditions of vasospasm and/or vasoconstriction as referenced above, whereby needle tip 104 itself operates, functions, and/or is used as a current element 1200, such as shown in FIG. 12 and referenced herein. In such an embodiment, using needle tip 104 as an effective current element 1200, needle tip 104 would be configured and/or used to generate an current sufficient to facilitate vasodilation (such as, for example, at or near 2 Hz over a 10-15 second interval) and would also be sufficient to generate the electric field referenced above to be sensed by detection electrodes 1102 and 1104 and/or another type of detector. Use of such a needle tip 104 instead of a current element 1200, as referenced herein, can introduce a current 1202 sufficient for vasodilation since the electrical pulse hyperpolarizes the membrane potential and prevents contraction of the vessel 300. Accordingly, and due to the metallic nature of a needle tip 104 configured as a sensor and/or to introduce a current, a metallic needle tip 104, in various device 100 and/or system 900 embodiments of the present disclosure, can reduce or eliminate the need for additional sensors and/or or current elements 1200 in connection with said devices 100 and/or systems 900.

An advantage of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is the enablement of a retractable tip that prevents overperforation of a small vessel. This, in conjunction with a transparent or translucent device wall, provides the doctor with knowledge of the initial perforation as indicated by blood movement in the device. The advanced needle tip can then be retracted to transform the needle into a non-blunt tip sheath which would not perforate the posterior vessel wall.

While various embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for transradial access have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same, the device comprising: a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip; a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, an interior space around the needle positioned therein, and having a blunt non-piercing tapered distal end configured for percutaneous insertion into a vessel or other luminal organ, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the sheath is comprised of translucent or transparent material; and a protractor in communication with the needle, whereby engagement of the protractor causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby release of the protractor causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath, wherein the device is configured so that when the needle tip punctures the vessel or other luminal organ underneath skin after puncturing the skin and is advanced along with the sheath so that the distal sheath end is also positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ and so that fluid within the vessel or other luminal organ is in contact with the needle tip, activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ and the fluid can enter the interior space of the sheath through the aperture and be visually detected within the sheath through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material to indicate that the distal sheath end is positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one current element comprises an excitation electrode configured to generate an electric current.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the protractor is selected from the group consisting of a button and a rotatable dial.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the tapered distal end of the sheath is configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall of the needle and the aperture when the needle is protracted from the sheath.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the protractor, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the needle mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a compliant polymer, a coil, a sponge, and a bladder.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising: one or more wire apertures defined therethrough, the one or more wire apertures configured to receive a wire.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a wire positioned through the one or more wire apertures, the wire configured to permit a second device to be delivered over the wire.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the wire further comprises at least one wire current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near a wire tip, the at least one wire current element configured to generate an electric current to cause vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises part of a system, the system further comprising: a dilator configured to surround at least part of the sheath, the dilator further configured for partial insertion into the vessel or other luminal organ; a guide wire configured for partial insertion into one of a sheath lumen and a needle lumen, the guide wire further configured for advancement into the vessel or other luminal organ; and an access catheter configured for advancement over the guide wire and further advancement into the vessel or other luminal organ.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the needle further comprises a sensor coupled thereto or embedded therein, the sensor operable to sense at least one bodily parameter.
 12. A system for providing access to a vessel or other luminal organ and to prevent overperforation of the same, the system comprising: a needle having a needle tip and at least one current element positioned thereon or embedded therein at or near the needle tip; a sheath positioned around at least part of the needle, the sheath defining an aperture at a distal sheath end, an interior space around the needle positioned therein, and having a blunt non-piercing tapered distal end configured for percutaneous insertion into a vessel or other luminal organ, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the sheath is comprised of translucent or transparent material; and an actuator configured to facilitate movement of the needle within the sheath, whereby a first operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to protract from the sheath through the aperture, and whereby a second operation of the actuator causes the needle tip to retract through the aperture into the sheath, wherein the system is configured so that when the needle tip punctures the vessel or other luminal organ underneath skin after puncturing the skin and is advanced along with the sheath so that the distal sheath end is also positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ and so that fluid within the vessel or other luminal organ is in contact with the needle tip, activation of the at least one current element can facilitation vasodilation of the vessel or other luminal organ and the fluid can enter the interior space of the sheath through the aperture and be visually detected within the sheath through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material to indicate that the distal sheath end is positioned within the vessel or other luminal organ so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a needle mechanism in communication with the needle and the actuator, the needle mechanism operable to facilitate protraction and retraction of the needle tip from the sheath.
 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a sensor coupled to the needle and operable to sense at least one bodily parameter selected from the group consisting of impedance, an oxygen concentration, and a lactate concentration.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a wire coupled to the sensor and directly or indirectly coupled to the actuator, the wire capable of transmitting a signal from the sensor to the actuator.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a processor operably coupled to the sensor, the processor operable to control actuation of the actuator.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein when the sensor senses a threshold bodily parameter, the processor operates to control actuation of the actuator to protract or retract the needle.
 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the tapered distal end of the sheath is configured to allow blood or other bodily fluids to pass between an outside wall of the needle and the aperture when the needle is protracted from the sheath.
 19. A method for accessing a mammalian bodily vessel and to prevent overperforation of the same, the method comprising the steps of: protracting a needle tip of a needle from a sheath of a device, at least a portion of a wall of the sheath comprising translucent or transparent material and the sheath comprising an interior space around the needle positioned therein; percutaneously puncturing mammalian skin using the needle tip; puncturing a mammalian bodily vessel under the mammalian skin using the needle tip so that the needle tip and a blunt non-piercing tapered distal end of the sheath of the device surrounding the needle tip access a lumen of the mammalian bodily vessel and operating at least one current element positioned upon or coupled to at least one of the needle and a wire positioned at least partially within the mammalian bodily vessel to cause vasodilation of the mammalian bodily vessel; and retracting the needle tip into the sheath of the device upon visual detection of blood from the mammalian bodily vessel within the interior space of the sheath of the device through the portion of the sheath wall comprising the translucent or transparent material so to prevent overperforation of the vessel or other luminal organ. 